Self and custom build register

Self and custom build register

The Self Build and Custom House Building Act 2015 requires councils to establish local registers of people looking to buy plots of land to commission or build their own home. 

Self-build housing means that you're directly involved in organising the design and construction of your new home. Custom build means working with a specialist developer to help deliver your home. There may be overlap between the two. For example, some custom build developers offer the option of a serviced plot where you can design and build your own home as part of a larger scheme.

The purpose of the register

The government wants to enable more people to build or commission their own home. This register will help us:

• identify demand for self and custom build plots
• understand where people would like their plot to be
• understand the types of homes people would like to build

We'll use the register to explore ways in which it might be possible to bring available plots to interested people. We also have a duty to consider the register before making a decision to sell land that we own.

For further details about self and custom build, refer to Policy P11 self and custom build in the Southwark Plan 2022.

Registration form

If you'd like to join the register, you must submit a registration form. Once registered, we'll let you know if a suitable site in our ownership becomes available that meets your requirements.

The registration questions are designed to give us a clear understanding of your aspirations and the type of site you're looking for. People or groups looking to join the register must provide evidence of a local connection. Additionally, we will ask for details about what you can afford. This is to confirm that you have adequate financial resources to purchase a self-build plot. Once registered, we will let you know if a suitable site that meets your requirements in our ownership becomes available.

Information that's submitted for registration purposes will not be shared with any other parties. We will publish an annual figure of the number of people on the register and the required number of plots, but no personal details will be shared.

We currently have 224 people on the register.

You can download the registration form ^{(PDF, 24kb)}.

Contact information

If you need help completing this form, email planningpolicy@southwark.gov.uk or call 020 7525 5471.

Page last updated: 07 March 2024